Africa’s Largest SME Conference Berths in Lagos

Africa’s largest Small and Medium Scales Enterprises conference holds in Lagos soon. According to the Senior Executive of Emvirtue and Convener of the event, Emmanuel Ezima, the convergence has become important because, “38 millions SME out of which only an average of 20 per cent have access to funding or the basic tools of business and can boast of still staying in business as of now.’’

He added that the government of the day is not particularly keen in its effort to invest in SMEs; while the private sector is cutting budget and the media isn’t doing much, hence the need to mobilise.

‘’China, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Brazil and all the surging economies of the world have done so by paying close attention to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in the way they provide enabling environment for such businesses to thrive. No economically viable nation in the world has done so without 100 per cent integration of SMEs.”

He explained that he has been compelled by the seeming frustrating situation to “mainstream advocacy, to spark the right strategic conversation; engage the forces of change – the three critical GPMs (Government, Private Sector and Media).”

The conference intends to provide a significant platform where African entrepreneurs can be empowered to upscale their operations, expand income generation channels, get trained, get mentored and get out of poverty.

It would also lead the advocacy for inclusive and holistic involvement of government, private sector and the media in supporting the growth of SMEs as the critical channel for the renaissance of African economies.

The events billed for September 17, is expected to bring together over 5000 young entrepreneurs, and business startups, who will engage with captains of industries from different sectors including banking, law, government, media, consulting, entertainment, among others. ‘’This edition has been deliberately themed ‘Impact for Nation Building’ to lock-in to the current economic discuss and to lead up to the next which will be themed – ‘Governing Change’, to hold in Abuja,” Ezima added.

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